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Landmark judgement in the fight against impunity

On 18 December, the European Court of Human Rights criticized Russia for systemic non-investigation of disappearances in Chechnya. The court also recommended measures to address continuing violations in the region. This was stated in a ruling in the case Aslakhanova and others v Russia, led by Civil Rights Defender’s partner, Russian Justice Initiative.

This is a landmark decision because it is the first time that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has declared Russia’s failure to effectively investigate disappearances in Chechnya to be a systemic problem requiring an urgent remedy, according to Russian Justice Initiative.

The ECHR decision was made on the same day as the Moscow court rejected appellation on registration of Russian Justice Initiative.